It’s Time for Newtown Township to Update Its Comprehensive Plan!

A Guest Opinion (see end of this post) on the role of zoning in community planning published in the August 4, 2019, edition of Bucks Courier Times, is very relevant to Newtown Township as it begins the process of updating the Newtown Area Joint Comprehensive Plan Definition.

Newtown Township is a member of the Newtown Area Joint Zoning Council (JZC Definition) Other members include Upper Makefield and Wrightstown Townships. At the June meeting of the JZC, Lisa Wolff, Senior Planner at the Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC), presented a proposal to update the Newtown Area Joint Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2009 (listen to her presentation below). [Download the proposal here.]

The Municipalities Planning Code (MPC Definition) recommends that Comprehensive Plans be updated every 10 years. Components of the Plan should include:

• Objectives
• Land use plan (including preservation areas and development areas)
• Housing
• Transportation
• Community facilities and utilities
• Protection of natural and historic resources
• Protection of water resources and water supply
• Energy conservation
• Implementation strategies
• Interrelationships among the plan components
• Relationship of the plan to surrounding communities
• Hazard Mitigation (BCPC recommendation, supported by the state)

The JZC is recommending that the proposal be accepted by each of the member municipalities. The Proposal must be considered by each Planning Commission Definition and by each Board of Supervisors with the Board of Supervisors adopting a Resolution that: authorizes the Proposal; authorizes the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan Update; agrees to splitting the cost in accordance with the Jointure Agreement; and authorizes the Chair of the JZC to apply for any grants that may be available to offset the cost. 

Lisa Wolff has offered to attend each Municipality’s Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings to explain the Proposal and to answer any questions that members may have.  

Newtown Township is in receipt of the BCPC proposal, which will likely be moved forward for review by the Township Planning Commission to evaluate and advise the Board of Supervisors.

 

 

Posted on 04 Aug 2019, 01:58 - Category: Zoning